HT Alias/Player Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex
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R3 Balrog................Balrog............Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
?? Chris Wells...........Ben'dar...........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
R4 Tom Crockett..........Caladan...........Wizard..Normal/Human Ma
R1 Marcel Liberty........Chion.............Sailor..Normal/Human Ma
W3 Ryan Torres...........Farseeker.........Warrior.Normal/Human Ma
W2 Sergi Sallent.........Jordi.............Wizard..Normal/Elf Ma
R4 Tim Falkenberg........Malradh ben Kasha.Merc....Normal/Human Ma
R3 Wayne Richardson/Uji..Thig..............Sidh MU.Normal/Faerry Ma
Do Robert Maxwell........Strie'bog.........Artist..Normal/Human Ma
R3 Orion (Paul Broman)...Trembyl...........Wizard..Normal/Human Ma
W3 Wout Broere...........Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human Fe
R3 Scott Adams...........Xian..............Wizard..Normal/Human Ma
W2 Alex Koponen..........Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human Fe
Animals: Ventrius/Pogo Thig's dogs, Firesnake of Caladan's,
Z'Leyra's Eagle, 2 Draft Horses, Wolf - Boyzdar
6 Captured Zen'da Horses
Game Web Site - For updates, files, links, etc.
http://users.cybermax.net/~longshot/pbem/index.htm
Public posts/actions to pnpgm@abroere.xs4all.nl (mailing list)
Private emails (not public actions) to pnpgm@softhome.net
Game Update #43 in sequence (file #173]
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Admin notes: None
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[Recap]
From Ben'dar: [Re: Actions]
Ben'Dar congratulates each of the party as they complete
their tests. He is especially enthusiastic at the conclusion
of Kasha's cow-manhandling experience. Laughing, he claps
Kasha on the back afterward, "Nicely done my friend. Nicely
done!"
At Farseeker's battle, Ben'Dar watches grimly. He cheers
for Farseeker when the smaller warriors go down. He doesn't
think there is anything he can do directly to help, without
bringing dishonor upon Farseeker and Caladan and the everyone
else. But maybe...just maybe... He suddenly snorts loudly
and calls to the combatants, "You've done it Farseeker! All
that is left is that shuffling ape! It's doubtful he can even
see you through that ugly mess he calls a face! My horse
could beat that enormous lump! Hey, speaking of my horse, I
haven't seen him for awhile... did you eat him, A'Snort?!?"
Ben'Dar then proceeds to make some very unflattering noises
in A'Zort's general direction. He makes a good effort to get
A'Zort angry or at least distracted. All the while, he's
thinking, "Farseeker better win...or that A'Zort's going to
kill me!"
Regarding his own test, Ben'Dar follows the example of the
other warrios and strips down his horse to just the guiding
strap. He grew up riding bareback and is equally comfortable
either with a saddle or without. He also strips off his
leather armor. This will be a serious race, he can see!
Without his saddle, he has no straps to store his spear, so
the spear stays behind as well. He attaches his whip to his
belt, and has his dagger in his boot. Other than those, he
has no weapons or equipment to take out with him.
As the racers prepare to start, Ben'Dar leans down along
Tef'wo's neck, patting the big horse affectionately. He
whispers to Tef'wo, "Let's show these people how to RUN."
As far as tactics go...: He'll use Tef'wo's superior size
and strength to bully the smaller horses out of the way and
keep them behind him. If the other riders get too close and
try any dirty tricks on him, Ben'Dar won't hesitate to shove
the other riders with his hands or use his whip on them or
their horses. He'll use his horsemanship skill to lean down
low off the side of Tef'wo and snatch the necklace as he
passes at a full gallop, swinging around and never slowing.
GM: Ack. thanks this will help. Ack on race actions.
Kasha: "Thanks. I didn't know I could do it. I've only tried
it maybe three times as a child but with smaller cows."
------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[New Stuff]
Octaqi 15, in the 163rd Year [TH]
Location: River Sch (E) Riverbank, Zen'da Plains, 306 Miles
North of Asichi City, Heading East from River
[The tests continue...]
[Farseeker - Fighting/Duel/Strength Test]
[As A'zort moves forward. Ben'dar begins to taunt him with
insults and words. A'zort grabs the log which must weight
100 pounds? like it was nothing. He grins at seeing
Farseeker and shows a few missing teeth. One has to wonder
where the tribe come up with this person. Not the typical
warrior here so must be an import. As Farseeker tries to
regain his breath and assess his damage, A'zort stops and
scans the crowd for the sound of Ben'dar. Farseeker brings
a hand back full of blood from his back injury. Not good.
His strength ebbing he can barely lift with both hands the
great sword much less fight.
Turn 1: Phase 4
[A'zort lumbers forward and gets within 5 feet of Farseker.
Upon hearing about eating a horse A'zort finally spots
Ben'dar in the crowd and growls. He turns back to
Farseker and makes it another 2 feet.]
[Farseeker backs away just a step to get just another
few seconds of strength back.]
Turn 2: Phase 1
[A'zort sees Farseeker wounded and a blood pool at his
feet so he figures Farseeker is done for. He turns
to face Ben'dar which is only 10 feet away. He
raises the log to his chest and growls and steps his
right leg forward to move toward Ben'dar.]
[That's when Farseeker closes in and sweeps the left
leg with his great sword. With the flat blade hitting
the knee and causing the giant to trip over it. The
giant and log go tumbling to the ground before A'zort
realizes what's going on. Farseeker staggers toward
the downed giant.]
Turn 2: Phase 2
[The Giant now on all fours picks a hand to move the
log which has thrust against his chest. He growls not
in pain but anger and tries to stand up.]
[But Farseeker is too fast. He staggers forward and
with the side blade of the great sword slaps with
a loud wet thud the head of the Giant. Just enough
to knock him back down. Knowing it could crack his
skull he only applied enough force to knock him down.]
Turn 2: Phase 3
[A'zort now flat against the ground and body over the
leg shakes his head. He finds a bit of the leg has
jabbed into his stomach causing some blood to spill.]
[Farseeker moving before A'zort raises both hands and
with the hilt of the great sword sends it square down
on the back of the head of A'zort where the neck meets
the skull. A vulnerable blood artery spot and the force
knocks A'zort unconscious.]
[The crowd hushes to silence and Ben'dar grins with the
party.]
[Farseeker collapses to his knees and drops the sword.
He places his right hand on the Giant and the left
to his back.]
Farseeker: "Is...there..a healer...in the village?"
[Then he falls onto the tall warrior and loses conscious
thought as the pain takes him.]
Cetric: "He did not fight A'zort."
Caladan: "You never laid conditions on the fight just that
he had to be the last standing."
Cetric: "He had help from that one!" [he points to Ben'dar]
Caladan: "He only did what the crowd was doing. Cheering
and jeering."
Cetric: "Fine. But I wouldn't want to be him when A'zort
wakes up in a few hours."
Caladan: "Z'leyra! We need your healing for Farseeker."
--------------------------------------
[Ben'dar - Riding Test]
GM: Info -
Rider #1 - Age 18, Scimitar/Sheath
Rider #2 - Age 19, Weaponless/Talkative/Friendly with Ben'dar
Rider #3 - Age 20, Knife in Boot
For ease of determining who is who. I will handle the race
in 10 second intervals. The distance is roughly 5600 feet.
it will take 4 minutes (for lack of ease of rounding numbers
and math) to get to the target. So to figure distance at
any one time its roughly 1 min = 1400 feet or 20-25 feet
per second.
[Ben'dar mounts his horse and whispers to Tef'wo. Teh three
riders also check their horses. A lovely gal in her upper
teens in a tight fiting leather jerkin holds a cloth in the
air to begin the race. She smiles and on dropping it the
race begins...She raises it and it begins to fall. But
before it falls and hits the ground two of the riders are
off. Ben'dar figures its how they do things. But he
lunges the horse forward ina fast gallop. As all four
race over the plains the general tactic is to clump the
horses. A common race tactic in civilized or barbarian
area. Keeping them separate might give one horse a
particular advantage until. This way all are equal till
one takes the risk and moves ahead.]
[1-10 Seconds]
Riders 1, 3 and Ben'dar equal up (side by side trying
to shift and psyche each other out). But rider @2
falls behind.
[11-20 seconds]
All equal up side by side. But rider #3 takes a great
jump ahead of the four riders and Tef'wo seems to
lag behind in 4th place.
[21-30 seconds]
Suddenly Rider 2 lunges ahead but Ben'dar catches up
to second place as Rider 1 and 3 fall a good 10 feet behind.
[31-40 seconds]
Rider 2 breaks forward another 10 feet. As Rider 1 continues
to lag behind. Rider 3 is in 3rd place and Ben'dar slows
down ever so slightly to 4th place.
[41-50 seconds]
Now a surge of energy hits Rider's 1 horse and it lunges
forward into 1st place. Rider 2 adn 3 slow down as
Ben'dar makes up to 2nd place.
[51-60 seconds]
But it looks like Rider 1's horse steps on a hard rock
and suddenly jerks slower to 4th place! Rider 2 and 3
lunge forward at side by side with Ben'dar just behind
in 3rd place at 4 feet.
[61-70 seconds]
Rider 2 becomes 1st place with Ben'dar 2nd as 1 and 3
lag behind.
[71-80 seconds]
Rider 1 takes the lead. At this point riders 2 and
3 slam into each other side by side as they try to
take lead position. This slamming maneuver causes Tef'wo
to hit the rear of one horse and almost throws Ben'dar
off the horse as they take 4th place.
[81-90 seconds]
At this point chaos ensues. Ben'dar having fallen behind
uses the oppurtunity and circles the horses and takes
a great head start as the other 3 slow down and begin
to entangle themselves.
[91-100 seconds]
Rider 1 takes the plunge and meets up with Ben'dar.
Ben'dar looking overhis right shoulder just glances
to see Rider 1 swinging his scimitar right at Ben'dar.
Ben'dar ducks just in the nick of time. Ben'dar takes
2nd place with the other 2 following.
[101-110 seconds]
Rider 1 continues the lead but 2 and 3 pass Ben'dar
and equal up blocking Ben'dar whof alls to 4th place.
[111-120 seconds]
Rider 2 suddenly ends up 3rd place as Tef'wo plunges
forward. Rider 1 tries to knock Ben'dar off his
horse but Ben'dar pushes Rider 1 off and Rider 1 almost
falls off the horse. As a result rider 1 falls to
4th place. his scimitar almost falling out of his hands
as he scrambles for control. Ben'dar has lead now.
GM: Halfway point. Ben'dar change any tactics?
--------------------------------------
[Z'leyra - Shaman Tests]
GM: The following tests were done in Real Time with Alex
in ICQ Instant Messaging. The results are below
formmated and slightly edited. Where you see LS (that's
me) and Alex is where the Chat came in. (again edited)
[Cetric eyes Z'leyra for some time. His obvious disgust for
a female being a shaman clearly shows. He doesn't know
Z'leyra to be a warrior only a sham in a position of
respect that has been spoiled now. He wonders where this
person has come from and who in their right mind would
allow such a person to become a shaman much less have
status as she clearly does with the party. After almost
5 minutes of thinking Cetric approaches z'leyra...]
[Cetric stares and smirks at Z'leyra.]
Cetric: "So you claim to be a shaman eh? Fine. If your a
shaman then you know many things about me. Here." [He
points to three tipi] "Which one do I live in?"
[Alex asks about Eagle.]
LS: Eagle is not seen but might be around
Alex: Description of tipees? Which ones of the 3 have
wives and kids around them? Mystic symbols?
LS: [First Tipi is a tan one with clean sides facing the
front. The second seems to be brownish with some symbols
on teh front sides of a deer? A sheep? and maybe a bird
of some kind. Above the flap for the entrance is a hanging
set of bear claws hanging from some hook? The third tipi
is pure white and seems to have various geometric symbols
on the front and side. Could be various things from the
looks at them.]
Alex: Can she sense what Cetric's totem animal(s) is/are?
Any pets at any of the 3 tipees?
LS: From what he is wearing no. No. No one is around
them and the flaps are closed.
Alex: Does he smell like a bear/sheep/deer? Bird?
LS: You get close enough to sniff him? Village is full of
folks who don't bath too often. Mix of smells. Animal
and body odors. Smoke. Sweat.
Alex: Are any of the 3 unique in their designs? Do a lot have
animal drawings?
LS: No.
Alex: Possibly the 3rd...depends on which is unique.
LS: All three are about same size. Middle one is a foot or
two taller in poles. Third might be slightly bigger. No
drawings at this distance is seen.
Alex: The various other tipees, do they have similar decorations?
LS: [From your position about 20 feet away. ]
[Others are simple one, 2 or 3 color combinations.
Some have etched geometric shapes (diamonds or stars).
But mostly colored tipis]
Alex: "The second seems the most likely, honoring as it does
those of nature. To be completely sure I'd have to talk
with the spirits. If that is allowed in this test I will
do so, if not....then I will go with my guess that of
those three yours is most likely to be the brownish tipi
with some symbols on the front sides of animals and
maybe a bird of some kind. Above the flap for the
entrance is a hanging set of bear claws hanging from
some hook."
"A moment." She examines his tracks then examines the
tracks around the tipis...which has his tracks most?
LS: Cetric: "No communion with spirits. Use your mind."
ahh..finally so you move closer and examine the backs and
around the tipis?...was wonderind if you were going to move.
Alex: She examines around them...and keeps looking for his
tracks... As well as examines each tipi.
LS: Now that you move closer. And around the Tipis. The first
tipi HAS a symbol. That of a Wolf. A clear pictogram of a
canine. Could be a dog. But most likely a wolf. Second
one again has multiple animal pictograms as described and
the bear claws. The third has those shapes which could be
star clusters, stars, diamonds, circles, squares, random
polygons? Could interpret them into many things. Tracks.
Theres human tracks. Maybe canine tracks but not much
otherwise except drag marks where things have been moved
or draged from place to place.
Alex: Any wolf tracks? Other animal tracks?
LS: As you circle the 3rd tipi you notice the Eagle lands on
the middle one and stares down at the bear claws in a
curious nature wondering what they are.
GM: Here we go into a lengthy and boring talk about tracks.
Nothing worth reading :) So deleted here.
Alex: Anything wolfish about Cetric?
LS: The middle tipi though seems to be the least tracked area.
Alex: Still inclined to go with #2. Is he wearing anything
that would indicate his totem animal(s)? Tracks of women
and children in and out of any of the 3?
LS: No. but it looks like he might have a necklace tucked
in his leather shirt. Tracks - Yes. Those are easy to
figure out. Light and small tracks compared to male tracks.
They go around mainly 2 and 3. Theres maybe 3 or 4 set of
light tracks around 1 but most are around the other 2.
His drum is smaller than most. The flat side where he
taps it is facing his chest. But the rear side has
nothing on it. The canine symbol on #1 is on back of
the tipi.
GM: Some discussion on skills, spells and personal character
info here. So deleted for character privacy.
LS: A true shaman shouldn't rely on spirts for True help.
BTW all 3 seem empty no sounds from inside. No smoke from
top either.
Alex: Z'leyra: "To the contrary, Shamans and spirits normally
help each other. This is a special case where you are
testing you cleverness against my observation skills. I
am being tested, not the spirits."
GM: Above in reference for Cetric to refuse magic as it should
be a mental/intellectual test.
LS: [Silence]
Alex: I suppose turning into an eagle would upset him as well...
LS: Summary #1 - One animal pictogram
#2 - Multiple at least 4-5 #3 - Multiple geometric shapes
osme could be animals
Alex: Any sign of herbs?
LS: Depends on if you undress in front of him or not. But
flying into the sky could confuse him ...he might think
your trying to elude the camp to cast magic. That might
forfeit things. But just turning to a eagle might not
upset him. But up to you. Hard to tell as he has a
poker face. (Herbs-) none from outside. and one of the
test conditions was not to enter as that would clearly
give the answer based on internal gear.
Alex: All shaman are herbalists. Any smell of herbs. :)
LS: Theres a communal garden in the camp. But it seems no
particular tipi has its own garden. Likely the obvious
answer of bugs and animals getting near the Tipis. Not
good to have terminites/ants invading your home.
Smell. From him yes of some plant and smoke. But the
hides of the tents are thick. Mostly you smell the animal
sun baked hides of the tent covering and the smell of smoke
that has seeped into the hides from inside fires. But sadly
no smell of herbs..Good question though. How long do you
sniff?
Alex: "Well, having seen the fine drawing on the first tipi, I
must grant that it is a finer honoring of the animal than
those of the second tipi. Cetric would have the finest
drawing to honor his tonah, thus the first tipi is Cetric's."
At least according to your descriptions...
LS: is this your Final answer. [Music plays in background.
Audience hushes.
Alex: The drawings on the 2nd being hard to figure out which
animal... Yes, final answer.
LS: Cetric- [Cetric nods. Then turns and walks away.]
LS: Caladan: "Congratulations. You are correct. A true
shaman only has one animal in his favor. The second is
actually my father's tipi. The third is the chief Elders.
He likes the star clusters."
Alex: Z'leyra nods her head.
GM: That was part 1 of 3. Part 2 begins another ICQ session-
LS: Cetric: [Cetric waves forward a man and a horse.]
[The man is in his 70s and is slightly slumped. Not
standing at full attention. The horse is a young colt
but seems to limp forward.]
Cetric: "Part 2. This man is sick in the head. He has a
condition that could kill him in time. This horse is also
hurt. He recently tore a leg muscle in riding. You can
only heal one. Which do you?"
Alex: Preliminary diagosis...Just observing them as they
approach...does she have a diagnosis? Not to worry...
"Actually, I believe I might be able to heal both...but as
this is a test I will honor the parameters of the test.
Everyone has a condition that could kill them in time. Life.
Life is temporary, we all will eventually die. Death is part
of life. Healed, the old man will last days, months, years,
maybe decades before his spirit moves on. The colt, if
healed, will likely last a couple decades, but might die
sooner, perhaps much sooner."
"The answer then depends on those who care for them. The one
most needed or perhaps most wanted by others may well be the
one to heal. Determining that would require knowing both them
and those who care for them.
"No need to gain displease by healing those that do not want
healing." "If the colt where destined for eating I would see
little need to heal it. If it where needed for years of
riding, then yes, healing would be important."
typo were not where
LS: Cetric: "So your answer is neither? I know you to be a
healer. You can heal one. But only one. At this time."
[Since you say you observe them. The old man is actually
pulling the horse via a rope forward. The man seems in
good shape and weight. Just slumped from age which is
nnrmal wear and tear. But as Cetric describes he has some
mental disease. The horse has a obvious painful leg injury
on his front right.
Alex: Z'leyra: "Choosing who not to heal can be harder than
healing. Generally I heal all, unless I see good reason
not to."
LS: So your answer is none insted of 1?
Alex: Z'leyra: "In this case I would talk to each and find out
which wants and needs healing. Perhaps the injury will heal
on its own and I may only need to use my skill on the other
one."
[Edited section for privacy a bit here]
GM: Some repeated material below since this was over 2 nights.
Alex: Z'leyra: "In this case I would talk to each and find out
which wants and needs healing. Perhaps the injury will heal
on its own and I may only need to use my skill on the other
one." "Choosing who not to heal can be harder than healing.
Generally I heal all, unless I see good reason not to."
"If the colt were destined for eating I would see little
need to heal it. If it were needed for years of riding, then
yes, healing would be important."
"No need to gain displease by healing those that do not want
healing."
Just observing them as they approach...does she have a
diagnosis? Not to worry... "Actually, I believe I might be
able to heal both...but as this is a test I will honor the
parameters of the test. Everyone has a condition that could
kill them in time. Life. Life is temporary, we all will
eventually die. Death is part of life. Healed, the old man
will last days, months, years, maybe decades before his
spirit moves on. The colt, if healed, will likely last a
couple decades, but might die sooner, perhaps much sooner."
"The answer then depends on those who care for them. The
one most needed or perhaps most wanted by others may well
be the one to heal. Determining that would require knowing
both them and those who care for them."
LS: On mention of eating a horse that gets a bunch of mumurs.
Zen'da would never do that. Not even on hard winters. As to
talking to them that's vague. Talk is what?
Alex: Talking with the old man...does she get any idea of what
his problem is?
LS: dunno. you've not said anything yet :) Input Dialogue:
Alex: Z'leyra: "Hello, I am Z'leyra. A healer of the Kameri
tribe. Cetric says you have a problem. Could you tell me
what it is?"
LS: Man: "Hub Am Sssrri griog tuv maw sen..."
he continues to mumble..but you get the jist that his
speech is slurred...likely from his mental disease or a
recent stroke.
Alex: Otherwise in good health?
LS: yep. Even you can see looks like his original teeth.
Hands are tight around the horse rope likely from arthitis.
Alex: Would it heal on it's own?
LS: Muscle is clearly torn and 1/3rd seems to be detached from
the base. It would take quite some time to heal. It could
heal on its own. Course if it was a modern culture they'd
likely kill the horse since it was lame. the old shotgun
to the horse deal. Might take at least 3 months likely 6-9
to heal on its own. Definitely can't be riden on for at
least half that.
Alex: Z'leyra: "Properly cared for, this injury to the colt
will heal on its own, though it will take many moons. The
man's problem is much less likely to heal on it's own, so
if I could only heal one I would heal the man, presuming
that he would wish to be healed and those close to him
agree."
LS: So your answer is the man?
Alex: He is a Zen'da, correct? Yes.
LS: Yes. Ok. Will log the chat.
GM: Will continue next update. For part 3 and answer on
this conclusion.
Actions? Comments?
Next update Friday...or before...
Player Test
Balrog About to start, waiting on Unali's answer
Ben'dar Started, Halfway over, pausing
Thig About to start, long test
Jordi Has started, waiting on actions
Strie'bog Has started, awaiting on actions
Xian Test Completed, Successfully
Trembyl Test Completed, Successfully
Farseeker Test Completed, Successfully
Unali Test Completed, Successfully
Kasha Test Completed, Successfully
Balrog Waiting on answer from Unali
Z'leyra Has started, waiting to finish/In progress
Caladan Not given one yet
Chion A challenge is given
Actions or comments?
Ran out of time tonight. Bed early tonight. Will finish in
the next 2 days and likely post a supplemental update on the
other results. Yes. I have emails from Jordi, Robert and
Marcel on your actions. I've just not had time to deal with
them yet. Hopefully should be in the next couple updates.